Improvements on the Way for Northern Ontario Highways

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 15, 2013) - Travellers can anticipate safer, more efficient travel on some of Ontario's northern highways thanks to new funding announced by the governments of Canada and Ontario today.

"Our infrastructure investments are an important driver of economic growth and job creation in Northern Ontario and across Canada," said the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State for Transport. "We are proud to support these initiatives that will connect workers with jobs, keep trade moving and help our economy remain competitive well into the future."

"Bridges are a lifeline for our communities. They connect us and allow for the safe and efficient thoroughfare of residents and visitors alike, as well as the transport of goods through our region. Providing the funding to maintain and rehabilitate these bridges is essential to the economic well-being of our communities in the North," said Michael Gravelle, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North and Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

"Maintaining our roads and bridges is essential to our Northern economy," said Bill Mauro, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. "Replacing these bridges will ensure safer trips for residents and visitors and bring good jobs to the people of Northern Ontario."

These eleven bridge rehabilitation initiatives will improve various highways throughout Northern Ontario. Once complete, motorists can expect improved driving conditions and highway operations throughout the region.

These are 11 of 44 initiatives receiving more than $61.3 million in joint federal-provincial funding through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. Under this program, the Government of Canada is providing $175 million to strengthen infrastructure throughout Ontario. The Province is contributing $173 million to Provincial-Territorial Base Fund initiatives, while other partners, including municipalities, will provide another $54 million.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides new opportunities for growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. Strengthening infrastructure across the country is an important part of this plan. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 950,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.

These investments support Building Together, the Government of Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province's roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Since 2003, Ontario has invested approximately $75 billion in infrastructure. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario's economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.

For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada's web site.

Both driving conditions and highway operations throughout Northern Ontario will be improved, thanks to 11 bridge rehabilitation initiatives receiving more than $61.3 million in funding through the Provincial-Territorial Base (PT Base) Fund. The Government of Canada is providing $175 million through this fund to strengthen infrastructure in Ontario. The Government of Ontario is contributing $173 million, while other partners, including municipalities, are providing another $54 million.

These initiatives were identified under Ontario's 2012-13 Provincial-Territorial Base Fund Capital Plan. This fund is part of the Building Canada plan and is designed to address core infrastructure priorities in each jurisdiction. Federal funding flows on the basis of approved Capital Plans and not individual initiatives.

About the Highways

The initiatives will focus on four highways that provide vital links for travel and commerce:

Highways 11 and 17 - the only two highways in Northern Ontario that join eastern and western Canada.

Highway 61 - a critical artery for commerce and travel between Canada and the United States.

Highway 71 - an important transportation link between Highway 17 east of Kenora and Highway 11 west of Fort Frances.

INITIATIVE

DETAILS

Highway 11: French River and Pickerel River bridges ($9.137 million in total eligible costs)

Both bridges are located east of Atikokan. French River Bridge is located approximately 12 kilometres east of Highway 633 and Pickerel River Bridge is located approximately 9.7 kilometres east of Highway 633. Both structures will be replaced.

Highway 17: Melgund River and Nugget Creek bridges, Dinorwic ($7.228 million in total eligible costs)

Both bridges are located east of Dryden. Melgund River Bridge is located on approximately 2.5 km west of Highway 603 and Nugget Creek Bridge is located approximately 8.1 km west of Highway 72. Both structures will be replaced.

Highway 11: Blackwater River Bridge, Beardmore ($7 million in total eligible costs)

Blackwater River Bridge is located on Highway 11 at Beardmore, 0.7 km west of Highway 580. The structure will be replaced and this will make travel along this section of highway easier for the community of Beardmore.

Highway 17: Gulliver River Bridge, East Ignace ($7 million in total eligible costs)

Gulliver River Bridge is located on Highway 17, approximately 10.2 kilometres east of Ignace. The structure will be replaced.

Highway 11: Englehart River and Aidie Creek bridges, Earlton Notherly ($6.65 million in total eligible costs)

The Aidie Creek River Bridge is located at Highway 573 and Englehart River Bridge is located approximately 400 metres west of Bryans Rd, near Englehart. Both structures will be rehabilitated.

The Aidie Creek River Bridge rehabilitation will strengthen the deck, replace the asphalt, replace barrier walls with railing and patch the deck soffit, abutments and wingwalls.

The Englehart River Bridge rehabilitation will replace barrier walls, sidewalks, approach slabs, expansion joints, some bearings, asphalt, and patch the deck, abutments, piers and wingwalls, and clean and coat the steel girder ends.

Highway 17: Big Firesteel River and Beaver Creek bridges, Upsala ($6.629 million in total eligible costs)

Big Firesteel River Bridge is located 14.8 km west of Upsala and Beaver Creek Bridge is located 19.3 kilometres west of Upsala. Both bridges will be rehabilitated. Abutments for both bridges are in good condition and will be retained, but the superstructures (deck and girders) will be replaced.

Highway 17: Cypress and Little Gravel River Bridges, Nipigon ($6.4 million in total eligible costs)

Cypress River Bridge is located approximately 36 kilometres east of Nipigon and Little Gravel River Bridge is located approximately 44 kilometres east of Nipigon. Both bridges will be rehabilitated.

Highway 61: Pine River Bridge, south of Thunder Bay ($3.42 million in total eligible costs)

Pine River Bridge is located on Highway 61, approximately 10 kilometres north of the Canada-USA Border. The bridge will be rehabilitated.